The William A. Burnard Warming Center sought a new, larger location due to increasing demand and space limitations in Cache Valley. Executive Director Heather Crockett expressed concerns that without a new facility, the center might be forced to turn away individuals as winter approaches.
The center, which averages 35 guests per night during the winter season, is currently located at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Crockett stated that if current trends continue, the facility would require a minimum of 60 cots, which the current space cannot accommodate. She noted that a failure to find a new location could result in unhoused individuals freezing on the streets.
Funding remains a primary challenge for the organization. The center is funded by federal grants and currently only has enough funding for five months of operation rather than a full year. Crockett also noted that the current location lacks essential amenities such as showers, laundry facilities, or a commercial kitchen capable of serving more than 30 people with varying dietary needs.
Crockett attributed the growing need to a lack of housing in the valley, noting that Cache County has an estimated apartment deficit of 1,200 units. She stated that the area lacks the transitional housing units found in other parts of the state.
While Utah Governor Spencer Cox has expressed that affordable housing is a threat to the state's prosperity and has set a goal to facilitate 150,000 new homes by December 2028, local challenges persist. Cache County maintains a housing crisis task force, though its website indicates no progress reports have been published since 2023.
During the previous winter, the warming center was able to secure housing for all but two families seeking assistance. Crockett expressed particular concern for seniors and individuals with mental illness, noting that many in these populations may not be capable of self-sufficiency or employment.
